Community Meeting notes 5/23/11
Facilitator- Lara, Notes- Mark
Members Attending: Jonny, Josh, Lois, Jimmy, Angel, Aurisha, Ann, Andrea, Melba, Randy, Somer, Eric, Joe, Julio RS, Zoe, Bobby, Ianne, Josey
Also attending: Suzi, Alejandra, Bex
Bici Cocina – change from 6/1- to 6/3. Lois had a movie scheduled, but not a problem. Change approved.
LACBC – 6/17. 5-9pm. Strategic Planning Design meeting. Approved
Angel – A 14 year old family member wants to live with Angel and Heather through her High School years. Support in not interfering with Angel’s judgment about family moving in. We approved Angel moving forward with family member checking out living here. The decision on the request to live with Angel and Heather for two years was postponed until later when we have more information.
Alejandra and Alejandro – Requested an extension of their short stay from 6 months to one year. Her partner will want to join her during this time if he moves to Los Angeles. This was an introduction. No decision was made.
Josh –Proposal to remove more concrete behind the Bimini Terrace and to create a raised garden and picnic / hang out area. (Somer confirmed willingness to forgo his pond proposal). Approval to remove 7 concrete pieces: consensus! Josh will come back with written proposal on actual gardens.
No smoking policy – Jimmy and Lois propose that we keep the existing policy. They also propose that we give the two current residents who were grandfathered in as smokers a 6 month notice that the buildings will become smoke free, and explain they will need to smoke outside the gate then. Reasons to keep no-smoking policy: LAEV supports healthy living, lower impact, and less opportunity to tempt recovering addicts or basically those who have kicked the habit.
We discussed the need to talk to smokers if we implement the policy change (Lois has in the past).
1) Consensus to keep current policy with language change to “on USTU owned properties”. New wording for the no smoking rule.
“I agree not to smoke anywhere on USTU owned properties and to inform my guests of the “no smoking” rule.”
2) Did not approve the proposal to give 6 months notice to the current smoking non-members that we would enforce no smoking in the buildings – This proposal will be revisited (bike rack).
Suzi – Green light decision. Suzi who was approved to live with Jonny and who has been living here for awhile is very excited about becoming a candidate to be a member of the community. Consensus to green light Suzi as a candidate.
Angel - Management committee report. See wiki page: http://urbansoil.net/wiki.cgi/MeetingPages
Will return with template to move forward on the Management Plan.
Trampoline proposal: That we try out the trampoline for two weeks in each of the following three locations, in the courtyard, by the garages where the fig tree used to be and behind the Bimini Terrace. There was a lot of discussion which included the suggestion that we could put mulch under the trampoline that can be used to help filter grey water. Lois stated to ensure safety that the trampoline should not be used until the safety net is installed. Consensus – a 1 week trial of the trampoline in the 3 different locations (courtyard, former fig tree area, behind Bimini Terrace. Mark will help move the trampoline each week.
Bex – Did not reach consensus about scheduling an interview/membership decision. Due to housing considerations, we agreed to extend the short stay of Bex and Zev for 2 more months (until the end of August). Will discuss plan to schedule interview / decision proposal at future meeting.
Evaluation:
Agenda too long
Awkward to facilitate and propose by Mark
Members need to be more objective about determining a person’s qualifications for membership in LAEV. Fore example: Are they involved in the community? For “the cause”? Etc.
Need clearer guidelines in order to know what is and is not permissible in the community.
Evaluation was becoming too negative.
Positives: Lara allowed processing of feelings; was sweet and patient.